Micro-channel structure and micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

This invention discloses a microfluidic structure and a microfluidic chip, comprising: a mixing channel including multiple annular channels and a connecting channel for connecting two adjacent annular channels, the two outermost annular channels respectively having an input channel and an output channel; at least two liquid inlet channels, each with one end connected to an input channel and the other end connected to a corresponding raw material inlet; and a liquid outlet channel, one end connected to an output channel and the other end connected to a raw material outlet; wherein the length direction of one liquid inlet channel is consistent with the length direction of the input channel, and the angle formed by the length direction of the other liquid inlet channel and the length direction of the input channel is α, where 0° < α < 180°. Through the above configuration, this invention reduces the space occupied by the microfluidic structure while effectively improving the mixing rate of the raw material, achieving both space compactness and improved mixing rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microchannels, and in particular to a microchannel structure and a microfluidic chip. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of microfluidics, the design of microchannel structures has a crucial impact on the mixing efficiency and flow path controllability of multiple feed liquids. In existing technologies, traditional microchannels mostly adopt straight or simple branched structures, and feed liquid mixing mainly relies on diffusion. The mixing rate and mixing effect are relatively limited. Furthermore, since most flow channel structures are implemented using straight or simple branched structures, they require a large space, resulting in a larger chip area occupied by the flow channel structure, which makes it difficult to meet the development requirements of microfluidic chip integration and miniaturization.

[0003] Therefore, a microchannel structure and a microfluidic chip are proposed to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a microchannel structure and a microfluidic chip, which can reduce the space occupied by the microchannel structure while effectively improving the mixing rate of the raw material liquid, thus achieving both compactness and improved mixing rate.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a microchannel structure, comprising:

[0006] The mixing channel includes multiple annular channels and a connecting channel for connecting two adjacent annular channels, wherein the two outermost annular channels are respectively provided with an input channel and an output channel;

[0007] There are at least two liquid inlet channels, one end of each liquid inlet channel is connected to the input channel, and the other end is connected to the corresponding raw material liquid inlet;

[0008] The liquid outlet channel has one end connected to the output channel and the other end connected to the raw material liquid outlet.

[0009] One of the inlet channels has the same length direction as the input channel, and the other inlet channel forms an angle α with the input channel, where 0° < α < 180°.

[0010] Furthermore, the included angle α is 75°-105°.

[0011] Furthermore, the included angle α is 90°.

[0012] Furthermore, the annular flow channel is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel;

[0013] The two adjacent elliptical annular channels are symmetrically arranged with a line of symmetry as the reference, and are offset from each other along the length of the line of symmetry to be staggered.

[0014] Furthermore, the two adjacent connecting channels are arranged in a parallel and staggered manner.

[0015] Furthermore, the annular flow channel is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel;

[0016] The two adjacent connecting channels are respectively tangent to the two circular arc transition sections of the same elliptical annular channel.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the liquid inlet channel decreases from the direction of liquid input.

[0018] Furthermore, the cross-section of the end of the liquid inlet channel that connects to the input channel is configured as a trapezoidal structure.

[0019] On the other hand, this utility model also proposes a microfluidic chip, including a chip body and a microchannel structure as described in the above embodiments;

[0020] The microfluidic structure, the raw material liquid inlet, and the raw material liquid outlet are all located on the chip body.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0022] By setting up a mixing channel that includes multiple annular channels and connecting channels, different raw material liquids can turn multiple times in the annular channels and achieve cross-annular flow through the connecting channels, effectively extending the mixing path and increasing the probability of mixing and collision between raw material liquids, thereby improving the mixing effect. At the same time, by setting up annular channels, the space occupied can be effectively reduced under the same mixing path length, thus effectively meeting the application requirements of microfluidic chip integration and miniaturization. In addition, by further defining the extension direction of the two inlet channels, an angle can be formed between the two inlet channels. Therefore, when different raw material liquids converge at the input channel with different flow directions and velocities, initial disturbance mixing can be formed. When entering the mixing channel, under the action of multiple annular channels, different raw material liquids are gradually and repeatedly disturbed and mixed, further improving the mixing effect of the raw material liquids. Thus, the microchannel structure can achieve both space compactness and improved mixing rate. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a front view of the microchannel structure in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view of the microchannel structure in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the microfluidic chip in Embodiment 3 of this utility model.

[0026] Reference numerals: 1. Annular flow channel; 2. Connecting flow channel; 3. Input flow channel; 4. Output flow channel; 5. Liquid inlet flow channel; 6. Liquid outlet flow channel; 7. Chip body; 71. Raw material liquid inlet; 72. Raw material liquid outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The microchannel structure and microfluidic chip of this invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of this invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit this invention.

[0028] Furthermore, based on the teachings of this specification, those skilled in the art can form new technical solutions through cross-combination of different implementation methods without creating technical contradictions. Such variations should all be considered to fall within the protection scope of this patent.

[0029] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention proposes a microchannel structure, comprising:

[0032] The mixing channel includes multiple annular channels 1 and connecting channels 2 for connecting adjacent annular channels 1. The two outermost annular channels 1 are respectively provided with an input channel 3 and an output channel 4. By setting up a mixing channel including multiple annular channels 1 and connecting channels 2, the mixing of different raw material liquids can be completed.

[0033] It should be noted that by setting up the annular flow channel 1, the mixing path of different raw material liquids can be effectively extended, and by using the connecting flow channel 2, cross-annular flow can be achieved, increasing the probability of collision and diffusion between different raw material liquids, thereby improving the mixing efficiency.

[0034] Furthermore, by setting the annular flow channel 1 as a hybrid path, compared to the hybrid paths using straight or simple branch structures in the prior art, the space occupied can be effectively reduced under the same hybrid path length, thereby effectively meeting the application requirements of microfluidic chip integration and miniaturization.

[0035] There are at least two liquid inlet channels 5, one end of each liquid inlet channel 5 is connected to the input channel 3, and the other end is connected to the corresponding raw material liquid inlet 71.

[0036] By setting at least two inlet channels 5 that are both connected to the inlet channel 3 for the input of different raw material liquids, the different raw material liquids can be initially mixed in the inlet channel 3 and then enter the mixing channel for multi-stage mixing, thereby improving the mixing effect.

[0037] The liquid outlet channel 6 has one end connected to the output channel 4 and the other end connected to the raw material liquid outlet 72 to complete the function of discharging the mixed raw material liquid.

[0038] In this embodiment, the length direction of one of the inlet channels 5 is consistent with the length direction of the input channel 3, and the angle formed by the length direction of the other inlet channel 5 and the length direction of the input channel 3 is α, where 0° < α < 180°. By defining the direction of the inlet channels 5, the two inlet channels 5 are non-parallel structures. Therefore, when different raw material liquids converge in the input channel 3 with different flow directions and velocities, initial disturbance mixing can be formed, accelerating the mixing rate and effectively improving the mixing effect.

[0039] This device, by setting up a mixing channel including multiple annular channels 1 and connecting channels 2, allows different raw material liquids to turn multiple times in the annular channels 1 and achieve cross-annular flow through the connecting channels 2, effectively extending the mixing path and increasing the probability of mixing and collision between raw material liquids, thereby improving the mixing effect.

[0040] Meanwhile, by setting up an annular flow channel 1, the space occupied can be effectively reduced under the same mixing path length, thereby effectively meeting the application requirements of microfluidic chip integration and miniaturization.

[0041] Furthermore, by further defining the extension direction of the two inlet channels 5, an angle can be formed between the two inlet channels 5. Therefore, when different raw material liquids converge in the input channel 3 with different flow directions and speeds, initial disturbance mixing can be formed. When entering the mixing channel, under the action of multiple annular channels 1, the different raw material liquids are gradually and repeatedly disturbed and mixed, further improving the mixing effect of the raw material liquids. This allows the microchannel structure to achieve both spatial compactness and improved mixing rate.

[0042] In one example, the included angle α is 75°-105°, preferably 90°. Specifically, when the two inlet channels 5 are distributed perpendicularly at 90°, the confluence and impact of different raw material liquids in the input channel 3 are strongest, which can stimulate stronger eddies and turbulence effects to maximize the improvement of mixing uniformity and efficiency.

[0043] In this embodiment, the specific shape of the annular flow channel 1 is further defined to further extend the mixing path of different raw material liquids.

[0044] Specifically, the annular flow channel 1 is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel. By utilizing the asymmetric perimeter formed by the major axis and minor axis of the ellipse, the flow path of the raw material liquid in a single annular flow channel 1 can be significantly extended, thereby increasing the contact time and diffusion distance of the raw material liquid.

[0045] The two adjacent elliptical annular flow channels are symmetrically arranged with a line of symmetry as the reference, and are offset from each other along the length of the line of symmetry to form a staggered arrangement. Furthermore, the two adjacent connecting flow channels 2 are arranged in parallel and staggered configurations.

[0046] By staggering adjacent elliptical annular channels with symmetry as the reference and setting two connecting channels 2 in parallel and staggered manner, the raw material liquid must move along parallel and alternately staggered paths when passing through the connecting channels 2 to switch into the elliptical annular channels, thus forming a zigzag mixing path. This forces the raw material liquid to change its flow direction multiple times, thereby further extending the overall flow path and enhancing the disturbance of the raw material liquid, thereby further improving the mixing uniformity and efficiency of different raw material liquids.

[0047] In other embodiments, the inner diameter of the inlet channel 5 decreases from the direction of liquid input, so that the raw material liquid generates an acceleration effect as the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel gradually decreases when it flows through the inlet channel 5, forming a velocity gradient. This velocity gradient can create a velocity difference impact with another raw material liquid when the raw material liquid merges into the input channel 3, actively arousing turbulent disturbance, while reducing pressure fluctuations and impact losses when different raw materials converge, thereby improving the initial mixing efficiency at the inlet of the mixing channel.

[0048] In a further embodiment, the cross-section of the end of the liquid inlet channel 5 connected to the input channel 3 is set as a trapezoidal structure to reduce the impact loss and turbulence resistance formed when the raw liquids converge.

[0049] Example 2

[0050] The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the structure of the annular flow channel 1 and the connecting flow channel 2 is further defined, which can effectively reduce the resistance encountered by the raw material liquid when transitioning between two adjacent annular flow channels 1, thereby improving the stability and continuity of the raw material liquid flow and avoiding dead zones.

[0051] Specifically, the annular flow channel 1 is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel, and two adjacent connecting flow channels 2 are respectively tangent to two circular arc transition sections of the same elliptical annular flow channel. By configuring the annular flow channel 1 as an elliptical annular flow channel and making two adjacent connecting flow channels 2 tangent to two circular arc transition sections of the same elliptical annular flow channel, the smooth geometric characteristics of the elliptical arc can be utilized to form a tangential turning path without abrupt changes when the feed liquid transitions between adjacent annular flow channels 1. This effectively reduces the resistance encountered by the feed liquid when transitioning between two adjacent annular flow channels 1, thereby improving the stability and continuity of the feed liquid flow and avoiding dead zones.

[0052] Example 3

[0053] This embodiment proposes a microfluidic chip based on Embodiment 1, including a chip body 7 and a microchannel structure as described in Embodiment 1.

[0054] The microfluidic structure, the raw material liquid inlet 71, and the raw material liquid outlet 72 are all disposed on the chip body 7.

[0055] By integrating the microfluidic structure, raw material inlet 71, and raw material outlet 72 in Example 1 onto the chip body 7, the microfluidic chip achieves both spatial compactness and improved raw material mixing rate.

[0056] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A microfluidic structure, characterized by, include: The mixing channel includes multiple annular channels (1) and a connecting channel (2) for connecting two adjacent annular channels (1), and the two outermost annular channels (1) are respectively provided with an input channel (3) and an output channel (4). There are at least two liquid inlet channels (5), one end of each liquid inlet channel (5) is connected to the input channel (3), and the other end is connected to the corresponding raw material liquid inlet (71); The liquid outlet channel (6) has one end connected to the output channel (4) and the other end connected to the raw material liquid outlet (72); One of the liquid inlet channels (5) has the same length direction as the input channel (3), and the other liquid inlet channel (5) forms an angle α with the length direction of the input channel (3), where 0° < α < 180°.

2. The microchannel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The included angle α is 75°-105°.

3. The microchannel structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The included angle α is 90°.

4. The microchannel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The annular flow channel (1) is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel; The two adjacent elliptical annular channels are symmetrically arranged with a line of symmetry as the reference, and are offset from each other along the length of the line of symmetry to be staggered.

5. The microchannel structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The two adjacent connecting channels (2) are arranged in parallel and staggered manner.

6. The microchannel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The annular flow channel (1) is configured as an elliptical annular flow channel; The two adjacent connecting channels (2) are respectively tangent to the two circular arc transition sections of the same elliptical annular channel.

7. The microchannel structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the liquid inlet channel (5) decreases from the direction of liquid input.

8. The microchannel structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The cross-section of the end of the liquid inlet channel (5) connected to the input channel (3) is set as a trapezoidal structure.

9. A microfluidic chip, characterized in that, Includes the chip body (7) and the microchannel structure as described in any one of claims 1-8; The microfluidic structure, the raw material liquid inlet (71), and the raw material liquid outlet (72) are all located on the chip body (7).

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